Cambria triumphans, or, Brittain in its perfect lustre shevving the origen and antiquity of that illustrious nation, the succession of their kings and princes, from the first, to King Charles of happy memory, the description of the countrey, the history of the antient and moderne estate, the manner of the investure of the princes, with the coats of arms of the nobility / by Percie Enderbie, Gent.

LEIL.

LEillus, or Leill Son of Brute the second commonly called Green-shield, began his Reign over the Kingdome of Great Brittaine in the year of the worlds Creation Four thousand two Hundred fifty four, he was a just man and one who highly esteemed Justice and Dignity, and imitating the worthiest of his Predecessors in erecting ornaments for his Kingdome; he laid the foundation and in time fully built the City of Carliele. The Romans and Brittains had several appellations for this place, sometimes calling it Lugu-vallum, and Lugu-ballium, and some∣times Lugu-baliam, and Caerliel. The Saxons after they had possest themselves of this Island called it Luell as St. Bede affirmeth, Ptolomeus as some seem to affirm called it Leucopibiam and Nennius caer Lualid; the old Prophesies of the Brittains, which Mr. Cambden calls ridicula

Britannorum vaticinia, indeed he never was Friend to the Brittains and Welsh.) Ʋrbem Duballi at this day well known it is by the name of Caerlile, and by the Latines, Caeliolum, Lugum or Lucum, priscis Celtis, who spake the same language with the Brittains, as Mr. Cambden imagineth and but imagineth; Pomponius Mela tells us it signified a Tower or Fortification, and Caerlile or Lugu vallum is as much as to say Turris or munimentum ad vallum; certain it is that this City flourished and was in high esteem with the Romans as may appear by several Monuments of great Antiquity which have been digged up and found there, and although it suffered great detriment and ruine by the irruptions and inroades of the barbarous Picts and Scots, yet it ever retained the stile and dignity of a City. In processe of time, to wit, in the 619 year of the Incarnation of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, Egfridus King of the Northumbers gave it to St. Cuthbert, these are the words of the Donation, Donavi etiam civitatem quæ vocatur Caerlile Luguballia & in circuitu ejus xv.* 1.1 milliaria, at which time the walls were firme and whole: venerable Bede affirmeth, Cuthbertum duxerunt cives ut maenia videret fontem{que} in ea quendam Romanorum opere extructum, The Citizens led Cuthbert to behold the walls and view a Fountaine which the Romans formerly had made; who as saith the Register or book of Durham, congregationem sanctimonielium & Abbatissam ordinavit scholas{que} ibi constituit, who in∣stituted there a Cloyster of Religious Virgins or Nuns, and also Schooles; but the fury of the Danes afterwards so demolished and destroyed this City that for the space of near upon two hundred years it lay buried in its own ashes. William of Malmesbury saith, That in this City Visum erat triclinium Romanum ex lapidibus fornacibus concameratum quod nulla unquam tem∣pestatum injuria aut ignium flamma labefactare potuit, in cujus fronte scriptum erat Marii VICTORIA, some suppose this Marius was that gallant Arviragus the Brittain, of whom we shall have occasion to speak much hereafter. William commonly called Rufus reedified this so long buried Caerlile, and furnished it with stately Buildings, strengthing it with a Princely Castle, though some think that Richard 3. by reason of his Arms found there in the building, erected it. These are Mr. Cambden's words, Ad occidentem est castrum satis magno ambitu quod Regem, Ric. 3. ex insignibus vendicat: The same Author further saith, that Caerlile est Ʋrbs vetustissima à Septentrione Itunae, (i.) Eden, alveo, ab Ortu Peterillo (i.) Peterell, ab occasu Cauda (i.) Cauda & præter hæc defendentis naturae munimentis firmis maenibus è saxo, Castello, & Cita∣della quam vocant armata: And a little after, Ad ortum vero Citadella quam propugnaculis variis firmo opere posuit Hen. 8. defenditur. Thus much for the honour of our Brittish King Leill the Founder of this ancient and strong City, a Bulwark against the Scots, of which I could say more, but it may be it would be out of season; and therefore I will onely tell you that Caerlile hath given the honour of Earl onely to two Families.

• 1. To Andrew de Harcla, who did bear for his Arms, argent a cross gules, upon the canton point a Mertlet sable; but for proving a Traytor, his Armes reversed, his Spurs hackt from his heels, and all his Honours being taken from him, he was Drawn, Hanged, and, Quartered.
• The second, James Hay Viscount Doncaster, Created E. of Caerlile, 18 Jac. Sept. 17. James Hay, &c. Argent 3 escoucheons Gules.

King Leill also repaired Chester, which Ptolomy calls DEVNANA, Antoninus, DENAM from the River Dena or Dina. The first Inhabitants of this Isle, the ancient Brittains, called it Caerlegion, Caerleon Vaur, Caerleon or Dufyr Dwy; and Caer as who would say the City, or the only City in way of eminency and superiority. The Saxons called it Leze acentep, names which without all doubt were taken from the Legion which was called Victrix, sent into these remote parts, the Pretorian and Consular Legats standing in fear of it: Some, as Mr. Hen. Bradshaw for one, will bring and deduce the Name from a terrible Gyant long before Brute, and to make their invention good, they call this Gyant Leon Vaur; but being before Brute how he came by this Brittish name, my brains cannot find, and therefore as a fictitious ima∣gination and mere Chymera I leave it: but that the xx. Legion called Victrex resided in this City, it is most apparent by the Coyns oft found there: the one side having this Inscription, Col. DINANA LEG. XX. Victrix: but now there remains very few Marks and Signes of the Roman magnificence and state, unlesse some small parcels of checker or Mosaick, work, which are usually found where the Romans formerly inhabited. Hear what Ranulphus once a Monk of this City saith concerning these Antiquities, these are his words, Viae sunt hic subter∣raneae lapideo opere mirabiliter testudineatae, triclinia concamerata, Insculpti lapides prægrandes antiquorum nomina præferentes; hic & numismata Julii Cæsaris aliorum{que} illustrium inscriptione insiguita quando{que} sunt effossa; Here are passages under ground with stone-work most wonde∣rously vaulted over, banquetting rooms with arched roofs; vast stones inscribed with the names of ancient Romans; Coyns stamped with the Inscription of Julius Cæsar and other fa∣mous Commanders. Rogerus Cestrensis in Policratico saith, Intuenti fundamenta lapidum in viis, ingenio videtur potius Romano sive Gyganteo labore quam Britannico sudore sundata, Whosoever shall view the foundations and consider the vast proportion and huge bulk of the stones, shall judge the work rather finished by the toyl and labour of Gyants or the ingenious Roman industry, then by the sweat of any Brittish brow: the City is quadrate, the Walls containing four Miles in compasse; the building beautiful and neat, the prime Streets so deckt

with Galleries, that in rainy dayes passengers walk dry; the Castle is of late erection: this City hath been defaced several times, once by Egfride King of the Northumbers, after by the Danes; often repaired by Adelfleda Lady and Queen of the Mercians. Over the River Dena or Dee a fair stone-bridge leadeth, built upon eight Arches, at either end whereof is a Gate from whence in a long quadran-wise the Walls do encompasse the City, high and strong built, with four fair Gates opening unto the four winds, besides, three Posterns with four Watch-towers, extending in compasse 1940 paces.

On the South side is mounted a strong and stately Castle, on the North side is the Minster first built by Earl Lerfrick to the honour of St. Werburga the Virgin, and after most sumptu∣ously repaired by Hugh the first Earl of Chester of the Normans; Now the Cathedral of the Bishops See. Herein lyeth interred (as report doth relate) the body of Henry the 4. Emperor of Almain, who leaving his Imperial estate, led lastly an Hermits life.

Who built this stately and ancient City appeareth not, but in that it was repaired by the Brittish Leill, to him the glory must needs belong; to the Romans thanks belong for its first name, or at least to the twentieth Legion called Victrix; a Legion of the Romans (as Vige∣tius reporteth) contained 6000 Souldiers or more, and was divided into ten bands, the first exceeding all the rest both in number and estimation; For this band bare the Eagle which was the chief Standard of all the Romans; it contained 1105 Foot men, heavy armed; Horsemen 132. and was named Cohors Miliaria, that is to say, a company of One thousand and more souldiers. This Band hath the preheminence above all the Legions when they go to Fight; for they are placed in the Forefront and begin the battel. The second Band contai∣neth 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen of heavy Armour, and is called Cohors Quinquegintaria. The third band hath also 555 Footmen and 66 Horsemen. The Fifth had as many. These Five bands are set in array in the first battel; The other Five bands have equally each band the like number; so that these ten bands make a compleat Legion, containing 6100 Footmen and 726. Horsemen. King Leill in the end of his Reign fell to sloth and lust, whereby civil dissentions arose, which ended not in his life. He reigned 25 years, and was buried at Caleile alias Chester, which hath given the honour of Earle to these honourable Families.

• 1. Hugh sirnamed Lupus, Azure, a Wolfs head erased Argent.
• 2. Richard Son of Hugh, Gules crutely Or, a Wolfs head erased Arg.
• 3. Randolph de Meschines, Or, a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Gules.
• 4. Randolph de Gernoniis, Gules a Lyon rampant with his tail erected Arg.
• 5. Hugh Kivilioc son of Randolph, Azure 6 garbs 3. 2. 1.
• 6. Randolph Blondevil Son of Hugh, Azure 3 garbs, Or.
• 7. John le Scot Son to the Lady Maud, eldest sister of Randolph, Or, 3 piles Gules.
• Edward eldest Son to K. Ed. 3. England, a label of 3 points.
• Symon de Montfort E. of Leicester, after whose death Chester was laid unto the Crown, and hath been since united to the Principality of Wales.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mr. Camb. in Cumberland.